In Court Battle Over Anne Heche’s Estate, Judge Sides With Son Homer Lafoon Over Ex James Tupper

While there hasn’t been an official legal conclusion to the court tussle over Anne Heche’s estate, the mood on Tuesday seemed to mostly be in favor of Homer Laffoon, the 20-year-old son of Heche and Coleman Laffoon.

James Tupper, who was in a relationship with Heche from 2007-2018 and had 13-year old son Atlas with her, made a legal attempt to gain control of the estate over Laffoon, but that probably won’t succeed given the Judge’s language on Tuesday. Tupper had claimed that Heche gave him control over her estate in an email, and also accused Laffoon of not communicating with him and Atlas properly.

Judge Lee Bogdanoff didn’t have much patience for Tupper and his attorney’s arguments in this court session, which was mostly set to organize when Tupper and Atlas can have access to Heche’s apartment to retrieve belongings.

Tupper and Atlas were present in the court in person, while Laffoon was not there and his attorney called in via Zoom.

When the conversation of who would be administrator of the estate came up, Judge Bogdanoff said, “We’re not nominating, we’re not deciding who’s the greatest person here. In order to prevent disappointment as an administrator, I’d have to find that there are grounds for his removal. That’s fraud, conflict of interest, doing something terrible.”

So while this isn’t a defining judgement in the matter, it shows what the judge would need to see to remove Laffoon as administrator, and has hinted that he doesn’t see it at least yet.

When Tupper’s lawyer tried to reiterate his previous argument that Laffoon is not qualified enough to manage the estate, the judge said, “Sir, in California if you’re illiterate you can be an administrator. Ok?”

“The fact that he may be in generation Z or whatever, or maybe he’s a chill guy, that doesn’t disqualify him. Maybe he’s not the greatest communicator, that doesn’t disqualify him. None of it does,” Judge Bogdanoff said.

The judge even briefly snapped at Tupper, becoming annoyed at the actor when he shook his head. “Why are you shaking your head? It’s very disrespectful. Don’t shake your head at me – ever if you’re going to appear again,” Judge Bogdanoff said to Tupper.

Tupper is still seeking to be named guardian ad litem for Atlas, which Laffoon formally opposed in a filing earlier this month. Tupper and Atlas will be back in court for this matter on November 30.